The Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE reiterated the present administration’s commitment to formulated policies and programmes aimed at boosting food production and enhancing productivity in area of comparative advantage like cocoa.

Engr. Emetu, who disclosed this during the inauguration of the members of Abia State Cocoa Development committee at the Government House, Umuahia, said that Governor Alex Otti’s administration places high premium on the revitalization of agriculture in the state with special provision made for integrated rural agriculture promotion.

The Deputy Governor pointed out that Abia State is endowed with good tropical climate and vast arid land that favours massive growth of cocoa, further disclosed that the State government in collaboration with the Lutheran world relief sponsored the training of cocoa farmers in the field and cocoa farmers association of Nigeria Abia State during their 2nd Annual cocoa festival in Abuja.

His words, “I want to proudly say that our government will soon set in motion modalities that will engage the youth in Cocoa Development. The 2025 budget no doubt will capture the establishment of cocoa processing factory in the state to help add value to cocoa products”.

Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who is also the chairman of the Committee, informed the members that their terms of reference should include the development of reliable Abia State Cocoa farmers database and formulation of Cocoa policy framework for the state; ensuring that government policies in the overall development of the cocoa sub-sector are effectively and efficiently carried out; encourage cocoa production and market opportunities and establish cocoa sub committee and establish cocoa sub-committee in all local government area of the state and many more .

In a brief speech, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Isaac Ukaegbu, who is also a member of the committee thanked Gov. Otti for considering members of the Committee worthy to work on his vision on Cocoa Development.

Furthermore, he promised that the Committee will work in accordance with the laid out terms of reference and will make sure that Abia State will be the number one in cocoa production.

Also speaking, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, also thanked Gov. Otti for the opportunity to work in Committee.

He pointed out that if the cocoa farm and production in Abia State is properly utilized, it will fetch close to two billion naira revenue for the state considering the current price of cocoa in the market.

He also pledged to give everything it requires to see that cocoa industry is established in Abia State.

Some of the members of the committee include: the Commissioner for Agriculture; Commissioner for Trade Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu;
Deputy chief of staff, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Aguwa Ijeoma; Director of Agriculture, Dr. Ojo Uma Ojo, Chairman Cocoa Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, Mr John Kalu among others.

Charles Ogbonna reports from
Office of the Deputy Governor, Abia State.